Embracing the Quiet Night: A Missoula Smokejumper's Christmas (Missoula Smokejumpers Book 1)

by Piper Stone

  Jessica blinked as she tried to focus. She recognized Mark’s voice. The light was bright, forcing her to wince. “What… What happened?” She held up her hand and wiggled her fingers.

  “You fainted on stage,” Mark said and patted her hand. “There was a glorified Doc in the Box across the street. You seem just fine.”

  “How long have I been here?” she asked as she tried to sit up. A wave of nausea forced her to lie back down.

  “Long enough for them to run some tests.”

  “Tests? I didn’t authorize anything.” Now, she was pissed. “I need to get out of here.”

  “Just wait for the doctors. Just blood tests. Nothing horrific, my dear. You might have a vitamin deficiency.”

  Jessica huffed and managed to sit up. “I have stage fright that sometimes overwhelms me. I thought I was cured, but obviously not. I need to get on a flight.”

  “Tanya mentioned it. She’s working on getting your flights rescheduled, but do you think leaving is best for you, right now?” Mark kept his voice soothing.

  She huffed and shook her head. “Being home is the best thing for me.” She slipped off the cot and searched for anything belonging to her.

  “Hold on. Let me get the doctor.” Mark seemed flustered.

  “I’m fine, Mark. I apologize for fainting. Didn’t mean to mess up the Christmas show.” She needed her phone. “Where’s my phone?”

  “I think Tanya has it. You didn’t ruin anything at all. In fact, the PR we’re getting on this is amazing.”

  She rolled her eyes and almost jumped on Tanya when she entered the room. “Did you change the schedule? Do I have a plane out of here tonight? What are the connections? Will I be able to get into Missoula before the twenty-fifth? Do you have my phone?”

  Tanya looked at Mark then gripped Jessica’s arms. “Calm down. I have your phone. I’ll get it for you. The flight? Another story. Almost everything is cancelled.”

  “What? No. No! This can’t be happening.”

  “Calm down,” Mark said as he walked closer to the door. “I’m going to get a doctor.”

  Jessica breathed out. “No flights at all?” Think. Think how you can get there.

  “There’s one to Casper right now but then nothing to get you to Missoula.”

  “Casper, Wyoming?”

  Tanya nodded. “Yeah and that’s only if the storm doesn’t head that way.”

  “Book it. I don’t care at this point. I’ll find a way to Missoula.” Jessica paced the room.

  “Jess, that’s almost a nine-hour drive if the conditions are good. The conditions are terrible. Do you understand?” Mark asked. “You should wait until the storm passes.”

  She swayed back and forth then almost fell onto the bed.

  “That’s it. I’m getting the doctor.” Mark rushed out of the room.

  “Tanya, listen to me. Book the flight and see if there’s a train or any kind of rental car you can get me. I must get home. The gift we talked about?”

  “You’re asking for miracles.”

  Jessica couldn’t help but grin. “Important to me. Just get everything together when you can. I need my phone. Please. There is a phone call that’s long overdue.”

  “I understand.” Smiling, Tanya left the room.

  As soon as she did, Jessica eased down on the bed, tears slipping past her lashes. She’d fucked up everything. Everything that was important in her life. He’d never forgive her for not being able to get home. Never. She would get there. She’d find some truck she could borrow and drive there. Yes, in the damn snow. One way or the other, she was getting there.

  “Here’s your phone. You have a couple of missed calls.” When Jessica looked at her, she flushed. “I accidentally hit the button. I’m sorry.”

  “No worries.” She didn’t need to see who had called. Stoker would be calling to warn her. Biting her lip, she counted to five then hit send. His phone rang and rang. When his sexy tone came on the voice mail, she doubled over, shaking back and forth. “Stoker. I know you’re angry with me, especially now with the snowstorm, but I’m coming home. I found a way. I wanted you to know that I’m flying into Casper and from there, I don’t know, but I’ll call you.” She heard a blip and glanced at the phone’s screen. Shannon. Yes, the entire town had heard about the snow storm by now. Ignoring it, she exhaled.

  “Baby, I miss you. We shouldn’t have argued. That was silly. I don’t need my career, but I need you. You are my light and my life. You’re the reason I enjoy life again. I’m coming home, baby, and we’re going to have the best Christmas. I promise.”

  As soon as she ended the call, Shannon buzzed in. “Hey, my friend. How are you? How’s the weather?”

  “Are you coming home?” Shannon asked.

  Jessica sensed a tenseness in her friend’s voice. “Yes, long story and I might be coming in on the twenty-fourth, but I’ll get there. Is Stoker pissed?” The strangled sound made her grip the phone. “What’s wrong?”

  “Jessica, honey. I have to tell you something.”

  “What? What do you need to tell me?” She jerked to her feet, her entire body shaking. When Shannon hesitated, she half screamed. “Tell me!”

  “It’s Stoker and all of the team. They’re missing in action. They had a fire and no one has heard from them in almost a day. Landen. I haven’t heard from him at all. Nothing. I’m so worried.”

  “What?” Jessica turned in a full circle as lights flashed in front of her eyes.

  “Miss Dunn, I understand—”

  Seeing the doctor bursting into the room, she threw out her arm. “Shannon. Nothing?”

  “The fire. It’s bad, honey. Bad,” Shannon whispered.

  Jessica allowed the phone to drop and she crumpled to her knees. They were supposed to have planned their wedding and spend the rest of their lives together. No. No!

  “Miss Dunn. I need a nurse,” he called over his shoulder. “Let’s get you back to bed. We should talk.”

  Jessica held her briefcase close as the plane rattled and kicked, turbulence shifting the small jet back and forth. The journey to get where she was had taken several hours. Dawn was just over the horizon, but the light was dim, as gray as her mood. She blinked away tears as she glanced outside. Snow continued falling, swirling in the almost puffy cloud like formations. This had been the last plane allowed into Casper, at least from what the captain had said. She remained anxious, her heart racing.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be arriving in just a few minutes. Sorry about the bumpy flight. The blizzard is moving fast. You’re definitely going to have a white Christmas.”

  The captain’s deep voice was meant to be soothing, a comfort in the storm. There was nothing that could soothe her, except seeing Stoker. She’d made one last call before she’d gotten on the plane. No news. What she’d learned had been bad enough. The team had been caught in the mountain range, fire on three sides. While the majority of communication to the various smokejumping teams had been cut off for a short period of time, almost everyone had been accounted for. Almost.

  She sniffed and forced back the tears. Crying at this point wasn’t going to do any good. While Tanya had tried her best to get some sort of connection, there wasn’t even a mule available at this point. Her only hope? Hitching a ride. She bit back bile, willing her stomach to settle. Several people on board had thrown up at least once. She refused.

  A second of an almost clear view popped up, allowing her to see just how close they were to the runway. She braced herself, gripping the arms and closing her eyes.

  Bap! Bam! Thud!

  The movement jerked her forward. When she heard the engine slowing, she opened her eyes. They were safe. The plane was taxiing to the gate and she peered out, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. Casper. What a little town.

  After exiting the plane, she grabbed her carry-on bag and waited until her guitar was sent through the luggage system. The rest of her items remained in California. She’d send for them la
ter. What she needed didn’t amount to anything, except for Stoker and Mac and her new home. They were the only things that mattered to her. She kept everything close as she made her way to an information desk, waiting in line as every ugly thought she’d had returned, violating what was left of her rational mind.

  “Can I help you?” the woman asked, her face pinched.

  “I need a ride to Missoula, Montana. It’s imperative that I get there.” Jessica fell over the counter, panting.

  “You can try the rental cars.”

  “You don’t understand. There are no rental cars. I checked. I’ve called everyone. Everyone. Do you hear me? I have to get there. This is an emergency.”

  “Ma’am. I’m sorry. I’m just the information desk.” The woman tried to smile.

  Jessica groaned, exasperated. “Then where do I go? There has to be a way.”

  The woman leaned over, looking from right to left. “Don’t tell anyone I told you this, but they always have a couple of cars in reserve. Tell them you’ll pay double.”

  She smiled and looked up toward the ceiling. “Thank you! Santa is going to be very good to you this year!” Jessica had a slight spring to her step as she headed down the hall, searching for any signs. She finally stepped on the escalator and lugged everything onto the platform. The damn thing was going too slowly. She started walking down, her eyes searching anything and everything.

  When she was on the first floor, she could see a group of kiosks on the right. Rental car city. There were no lines, but she found a single human. “Hi. Can you help me? I need to rent a car to go to Missoula.”

  “We have no cars. Besides, half the roads are almost shut down. You don’t go north.”

  Shut down? This couldn’t be happening. The older man was grumpy and she knew why. “I can and I will,” she huffed and knew she was getting nowhere. “Look, I have it on good authority that you have a few cars you hold back.”

  He raised a single bushy eyebrow and stopped what he was doing, inching closer.

  “Don’t you? I’ll pay anything you like. I don’t care. I have to get to Missoula. My fiancé is trapped in the mountains. He’s a smokejumper and they don’t know where he is. See? Don’t you understand?” Her tone was shrill, loud. She slapped her hand on top of the small counter. “Triple. I’ll pay triple.”

  The man shifted but remained quiet.

  “Please!” Jessica’s voice had risen. “This is very important. Our first Christmas together. I know he’ll come home. I just know he will. Please. One car. Anything you have. I’ll take good care of it. I promise.”

  Exhaling, the man moved closer. “I’m really sorry. We honestly don’t have anything at all.”

  By this point, she could see a crowd of people, all in tune to what she was saying. “Oh, please. You must have something. A clunker.”

  “Not a single one. I’m really sorry.”

  Dropping her head, the tears flowed. “I can’t lose him. I can’t. Not now. You don’t understand.”

  “I’m just so sorry.”

  She turned around, biting back the tears. “Can I catch a ride with anyone? I don’t know Wyoming. I admit, but anywhere close? Please?”

  The majority of the crowd smiled then looked down, as if terrified of her request.

  Laughing to keep from sobbing, she moved toward the floor to ceiling windows, palming the glass. What the hell was she going to do? She had no idea. None. She was forced to wait until the storm passed. How long would that take? Please, please let me get home. She eased the guitar case down to the floor and watched as the ice crystals trickled to the ground, creating a blanket of white. This, she couldn’t do alone. As minutes passed, the crowd dissipated, as if her touching story was yesterday’s news.

  In the dimness of the light, she could see a man approach, his hands in his pockets. Bristling, his presence appeared menacing, yet he kept his distance, shifting from foot to foot. She kept her position, her heart racing. She’d never felt so alone in her entire life.

  “I can take you there.”

  Jessica heard the twang in his voice, the tone laced with kindness. Trusting a stranger was against her nature. Stupid. She could be raped. Murdered. Exhaling, she turned around, shoving her back against the glass. At least she could call for security if the mystery man went nuts. The oversized guy reminded her of Riker, all muscles and tattoos.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” he said, then nodded as he glanced from right to left.

  “What am I thinking?”

  “That I’m a serial killer.” Grinning, he turned in a full circle.

  An unexpected laugh slipped from her mouth. “You are dangerous looking.”

  “Been told that more than a few times.” He waited as if that would do the trick. “My mama would beat my ass if I hurt a lady, especially one as pretty as you are.”

  She looked down from his bulky jacket to his worn Levi’s and scuffed boots. “I like your mama.”

  He grinned again, this time taking a single step closer. “I’m Dawson Smith. I have a run to make tonight and if I don’t get to my destination, I can’t go home to my family. It would be a pleasure having company along for the ride.”

  “A run?” Jessica found herself walking in his direction.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m a trucker. Big rig?”

  “Oh.” A semi would be able to get through the storm with no problem. She continued to hesitate, but there was no other choice. “Not out of your way?”

  “Only a few miles. Hearing that story of yours brought tears to my eyes. So, I want to help you. If I can, I mean.”

  “Why are you here?”

  “Oh, I thought I was picking up a buddy, but his flight was delayed. You’re lucky you got here.”

  Some luck. Folding her arms, she surveyed the floor of the airport. The crowd was thinning out, no doubt travelers going home to their families, ready for a holiday feast. “I just…”

  “Let me show you my driver’s license and I have a union card. It’s not much to tell you who I am, but maybe you won’t be afraid of me any longer.” He shoved his hand into his back pocket, yanking out his wallet. Fumbling, he jerked out two pieces of identification, thrusting them in her direction. “See? I have a wife and two kids too. I can show you their pictures.”

  She inched closer, peering down. “No need, Dawson. I think you just might be my angel in disguise.” The sight of his beaming face, the way his eyes twinkled with the simple compliment gave her a smile.

  “Okay then. Let’s get going. The trip might be rough.”

  “What I have to face is much rougher. I can handle anything at this point.”

  Dawson helped her with her things as they braced the weather, walking to an almost empty parking lot. She clung to the guitar, rubbing the case as she did everything she could to remain calm. Unfortunately, she was close to losing it.

  “Hand me the guitar,” he said after unlocking the passenger door. When he reached out, she pulled back.

  “I have it.”

  Cocking his head, he nodded and helped her into the seat.

  She’d never been inside the cab of a large rig and was surprised at the amount of room behind the front seats. The area was made up as sleeping quarters, complete with a small refrigerator and a television. She swallowed and carefully placed the guitar behind her.

  Dawson climbed inside, immediately starting the engine and turning up the heat. “You’re a musician.”

  “I am.” She looked around, blinking as several strings of colorful LED lights lit up the entire cab.

  “I like lights,” he mumbled.

  “They’re very… pretty.”

  “Christmas is my favorite holiday.”

  She nodded, wishing this Christmas could be hers. Even with the light of morning, there was little to see given the storm. “I’m Jessica, Jessica Dunn.”

  “Pretty name. Would I have heard you on the radio before?” He snickered as he slid the gear shift into drive. “I’m kind of old fashi
oned. I like the local radio.”

  “I don’t blame you. I don’t think you would have. I haven’t been played in a long time.” She rubbed her hands together then blew on them as he rolled out of the parking lot and onto a two-lane road. The snow was flying, hitting the windshield with sharp pings.

  “This is a bad storm, one of the worst this early in the year.”

  “I’ve heard.”

  “You’re not from around here,” he said as he darted a look in her direction.

  “I am now.” Her throat closing, she made a choking sound and buried her face into her hands, now unable to stop the tears. She coughed and offered a single smile. “Where are you from?”

  “Well, truth is, once you’re in this seat, you’re kind of from everywhere. My wife wants me to find another career, but I’m not cut out for a day job.” His laughter echoed in the space.

  “Truckers are needed.”

  “That’s what I keep telling her.” Dawson drove to the end of the parking lot. “Lordy. I’m so sorry about the fire you were talking about. My brother-in law is a jumper, ’cept he’s in California. We’re not close, but I know what it’s like to worry.”

  Jessica reached out to Stoker in her mind, willing him to hear her, to see her. Stay with me. Don’t you dare leave me! Sniffing, she wiped her eyes and pounded her fists against her legs. “This is worse than you know.”

  “Do you believe in Christmas magic?”

  The question was so unexpected, the words asked with such care that she turned her head. She knew instinctively the man had seen his share of wretched times. “I’m not sure I do.”

  “If you don’t mind me saying so, I can tell you that it exists. I know firsthand. That man of yours knows you’re waiting for him. He’s coming back to you. That’s the magic of the season. Trust me, little lady. I believe.”

  His conviction was evident in his firm grip on the steering wheel, his pensive face and the words stated with an air of authority. She took comfort in the small gift. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. You’ll see. I promise you.” He turned on the radio and found a holiday station and in the next few seconds was whistling. “If you’re hungry, I have a stash of goodies. My Betsy hooked me up real good. I have cookies and even some fudge left. You can have anything you want.”